The aim of this study was to determine if a road bike specific damping system increases short term performance. Muscular activation of the triceps surae and quadriceps femoris, oxygen consumption, heartrate and maximum power output of thirty male, trained cyclists were recorded. The participants performed on a damped and non-damped road racing bike six-minute steady state and four-minute all-out tests with and without vibration. Vibration significantly increased the mean activation of the triceps surae and significantly increased oxygen uptake and heartrate. Damping had no impact on muscular activation, energy requirements and cardiopulmonary response. It is therefore concluded, that cycling specific vibration affects the musculoskeletal system and slightly increases total energy demand. Damping contributes to upper body comfort but does not influence short term performance directly.
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